Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Sarasota

Motorcycles offer riders a sense of freedom and autonomy. There’s a feeling of adventure that comes from hitting the open road on a motorcycle. 
 
Whether you are a dedicated biker or only ride casually, Sarasota offers some of the best scenic routes for motorcyclists. 
 
But while motorcycles provide fun and adventure, they can also be hazardous. Because bikes lack many of the safety features of other passenger vehicles, motorcycle accidents can cause massive damage.
 
If you have been hurt in a Sarasota motorcycle accident, you may be able to pursue financial compensation for your injuries. This is especially true if your collision was caused by another person’s negligence.
 
Do not settle for anything less than what you deserve. The accomplished attorneys at Morgan & Morgan know how to secure compensation for Sarasota motorcycle accident victims. 
 
Our lawyers care deeply about our clients. That is why we offer no-cost case evaluations. To schedule your free legal consultation today, fill out the contact form on our website. 

What Are Florida’s Motorcycle Laws?

There are many statutes and regulations covering motorcycle riding in Florida. If you have been hurt in an accident in Sarasota, understanding your rights and legal options is crucial.
 
Florida’s motorcycle laws cover a wide range of issues. These include:

• Helmet and safety requirements
• Bike specification requirements
• Motorcycle-specific traffic laws
• And more

There are also specific rules about motorcycle insurance coverage detailed in these Florida statutes.

Required Liability Insurance

All motorcyclists in the state of Florida are required to carry a certain amount of liability insurance coverage. Bikers must have:

• Property damage coverage of $10,000 or more
• Injury coverage of $10,000 or more per person
• A single incident liability limit of at least $30,000

These standard liability requirements can be supplemented for riders who wish to avoid wearing a helmet.

Helmet Regulation Bypass Insurance

To ride a motorcycle without a helmet in Florida, you must be at least 21 years of age. You must also carry insurance beyond the standard requirement.
 
For those hoping to bypass helmet regulations, medical insurance benefits of at least $10,000 are required. This insurance is intended to cover the driver’s additional injuries in case of an accident.
 
There are many additional Florida motorcycle laws. The specific legal nuances of these statutes can affect your claim if you have been involved in a Sarasota motorcycle accident. 

How a Sarasota Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help You 

Many people are unsure about what a motorcycle accident lawyer will do for them following a collision. Some wonder why they cannot simply file a claim without a legal representative.
 
For all but the most minor cases, you should hire a lawyer. The factors that influence a motorcycle accident case can vary widely. 
 
A skilled legal professional will understand which factors are relevant and how to secure maximum compensation for you. 

When you hire a Sarasota motorcycle accident attorney, they will handle the following elements of your injury claim:

• Gathering eyewitness testimony
• Speaking with experts and specialists, if needed
• Negotiating with insurance providers and others
• Accurately calculating the value of your claim
• Determining all legally liable parties
• Taking your case to trial, if necessary

Victims of motorcycle injuries have enough challenges to handle. Individuals that are injured because of another person’s negligence should not have to manage the intricacies of an accident claim on their own.
 
Securing financial recovery in a motorcycle accident case requires specialized knowledge and years of legal experience. Do not settle for less than the value of your claim. Contact an accomplished Sarasota motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

How to Find the Best Motorcycle Accident Attorney: Tips

Even if you know that you need legal representation, you may be unaware about how to find a lawyer that will be right for your needs. Hiring an expert accident attorney will give you the best chance of recovering the money that you need. 
 
Below, we discuss several important tips for finding an accomplished motorcycle accident lawyer in Sarasota.

Do Some Research

You should never hire the first attorney or firm that you find through an online search. Instead, you should read about many different options before making a choice.
 
There are many sites that provide client reviews for injury law firms. Read as many online reviews as possible when you are considering a certain lawyer.
 
It is crucial to read more than only the reviews on the firm’s own website. These are usually chosen carefully to present the best view possible of their attorneys.
 
Read former client reviews from a wide range of sources. This will help you to anticipate your own experience, should you hire that firm.
 
Don’t be too worried if an injury lawyer has a couple of bad reviews. Even the best attorneys cannot please everyone. But as a general rule, you should only hire a firm if the vast majority of their former client reviews are positive.

Understand Your Priorities

When you’re looking for legal representation, it is important to know your own priorities. Without knowing what you are after, you will not know whether your search has been successful.
 
Consider the following questions to help you determine your priorities:

• Do you need a lawyer with a compassionate communication style?
• Are you only concerned about the case’s financial outcome?
• How long are you willing to fight for compensation?
• Are you prepared to pursue the case through a trial?
• Would you accept a lower settlement for a shorter case?

Only you can provide answers to questions like these. Take some time to write down your thoughts about your priorities for the case.

Find a Firm with Resources

Some accident victims begin by searching for small firms or law offices. But in many cases, it is vital to hire a larger firm that has greater access to resources.
 
Some collision cases require the claimant to sue powerful institutions. These may include government agencies, commercial trucking companies, auto manufacturers, or insurance providers.
 
When this happens, resources are crucial. Sometimes, these formidable organizations leverage their resources to extend the legal claims process.
 
For instance, insurance companies know that motorcycle accident victims often face mounting medical expenses. They use the prospect of a long legal battle to pressure claimants to give up.
 
Do not let this strategy work on you. When you hire an injury firm with access to adequate resources, they will fight for you for as long as you need.

Schedule a Consultation

Many attorneys will provide you with a no-cost legal consultation to help you make the best decision about your legal representation. During this initial meeting, you should not face any pressure or obligation to hire their firm.
 
A case evaluation is an excellent way to get to know an attorney or firm better. Before the date of the meeting, write down some questions that you have for the lawyer.
 
These questions can be about your case or the legal process generally. The attorney will also ask you questions to get a full understanding of your situation.
 
The following questions are commonly asked by motorcycle accident victims:

• How many years have you practiced law?
• Do you have experience with motorcycle accident cases?
• Do you believe that I have a valid claim?
• How much do you believe my accident case is worth?
• Do you think that my case will require a lawsuit?
• How do you handle the payment of legal fees?
• What types of damages can I claim?

These are only a few examples. Ask any questions that will help you to know more and to decide whether the attorney is right for your needs.
 
It is important to trust your gut. If you feel that the lawyer is being dishonest or questionable for any reason, keep searching.
 
You should never hire a law firm unless you fully trust them.

Contingency Fees

Most personal injury lawyers do not require upfront payment. Unlike other transactions, where the customer pays first, injury attorneys are usually paid through contingency fees.
 
With a contingency fee payment structure, the client pays nothing before the case is over. When the client hires the lawyer, they agree to a certain percentage of the financial recovery that will be used to pay the cost of legal services.
 
That means the claimant does not pay anything unless the attorney successfully settles or wins their case. 

Trustworthy lawyers understand that injury victims face massive amounts of financial pressure. When you pay with contingency fees, you will not owe anything unless your lawyer recovers money for you. Never hire a law firm that requires payment upfront.